The Discrete Element Method (DEM) has emerged as a solution to predicting load capacities of masonry structures. As one of many numerical methods and computational solutions being applied to evaluate masonry structures, further research on DEM tools and methodologies is essential for further advancement. Computational Modeling of Masonry Structures Using the Discrete Element Method explores the latest digital solutions for the analysis and modeling of brick, stone, concrete, granite, limestone, and glass block structures. Focusing on critical research on mathematical and computational methods for masonry analysis, this publication is a pivotal reference source for scholars, engineers, consultants, and graduate-level engineering students.

This volume provides the latest developments in the field of steel and composite for engineering applications, as presented at the International Conference on Steel and Composite for Engineering Structures (ICSCES), held in Ancona, Italy on September 12-13, 2022. It covers interest topics like control and vibration, damage in composite materials, fracture and damage mechanics, construction management, damage tolerance, safety, security, and reliability, big data analytics, topology optimization and artificial intelligence, mechanical and material engineering, structural health monitoring, computer-aided design and manufacturing, crack initiation and propagation, performance and optimization, computational fracture mechanics, inverse problem, non-destructive testing, signal processing, artificial intelligence. It serves as a reference work for professionals and students in the areas of civil engineering, applied natural sciences and engineering management.

Numerical Modeling of Masonry and Historical Structures: From Theory to Application provides detailed information on the theoretical background and practical guidelines for numerical modeling of unreinforced and reinforced (strengthened) masonry and historical structures. The book consists of four main sections, covering seismic vulnerability analysis of masonry and historical structures, numerical modeling of unreinforced masonry, numerical modeling of FRP-strengthened masonry, and numerical modeling of TRM-strengthened masonry. Each section reflects the theoretical background and current state-of-the art, providing practical guidelines for simulations and the use of input parameters.

The Thesis presents some numerical models based on homogenization for masonry structures subjected to in- and out-of-plane loads. Joints and bricks are assumed either linear elastic or rigid perfectly-plastic. In the latter case, a simple optimization problem is derived at a cell level to evaluate the macroscopic strength domain of masonry, using both the static and the kinematic theorem of limit analysis. A simple polynomial expansion of the micro-stress field in a finite number of rectangular sub-domains is proposed, suitable to obtain with a very limited computational effort a lower bound estimation of both in- and out-of-plane masonry failure surfaces. Strength domains so recovered are then implemented in suitable FE limit analysis codes for the upper and lower bound estimation of collapse loads and failure mechanisms of entire walls. Finally, the effect of the introduction of FRP strips as reinforcement is discussed using standard FE homogenization in the elastic range.